Our Journey Online - Apr. 19, 2012

Your Greatest Treasure

More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. — Psalm 19:10-12

A fellow pastor one day at a lunch accused me of being guilty of “Bibliolatry.” I had an idea of what he was saying, but later I did a little research. Here’s what I found.

Bibliolatry is comprised of two words, book and idolatry. It means one who worships a book or specifically in this situation, the Bible. Are you guilty of Bibliolatry? I love, love, love—the Bible! Why? If you understand what the Bible truly is, you will love it as well.

The Bible is God’s self-revelation. If God had not chosen to reveal more than simply His existence and His power through the visible creation none of us would know about Him, ourselves, sin, salvation, heaven, etc. God had to reveal Himself to us, and He has graciously and powerfully done that through His written Word. So, we love the Bible because through it we can come to know and love God Himself, and His Son, our Savior Jesus Christ.

The Psalmist, King David, expresses his great love for God’s written Word in Psalm 19:10-12. David declares that God’s Word is his greatest possession, “More to be desired are they (God’s written Words) than gold, even much fine gold.” Christian, do you love gold? Do your love your car, house, clothes, TV, computer, retirement fund more than God’s Word? If, as David claims, God’s Word is your greatest possession, then when was the last time you read it? How many of your 168 hours a week do you spend pursuing your greatest possession? Perhaps your schedule says you love something else more?

David also declares God’s written Word his greatest pleasure, “Sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.” Is God’s Word your greatest pleasure? Do you long for it, can’t wait to read it, love to memorize it?

David then describes God’s Word as our greatest protector. David explains, “moreover, by them (God’s Word) is your servant warned.” How many Christians fall so quickly into foolish, damaging, and destructive sins? We need more of God’s Word to warn and protect us.

Finally, David says God’s Word is our greatest provider, “in keeping them there is great reward.” What a promise: feed on God’s Word, live it out, and there is “great reward” to each Christ-follower seeking after God through His written Word. —Norm Millar

Journal:

· What does my schedule say about how much I love God’s Word?

· What stops me from spending time each day in God’s Word? What can I do about that?

Prayer – Father, I do desire that one my greatest treasures should be You amazing Word that you wrote for me. Create in me the desire to know You more and to hunger and thirst for Your Word each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

What if you believed—truly believed with all confidence that God is with you? How would today go for you if you knew without a doubt that God is in control? What would be different in your life if you were sure God is watching and good? What would you risk if you were certain God is victorious?

Just how would believing God’s promises change your life?

Ask the greatest Christian you’ll ever meet if they hold on to God’s promises and they’ll all say yes. Believing that God will do what He promises leads to a great life. The greatest Christian you’ll every meet knows, treasures, and is resting in the promises of God. They cling to these assurances that God gives His people so they can walk by faith while they wait for Him to work.

So what exactly does God promise? In this topical study of what will always be true, Pastor James MacDonald will explore five great and precious promises that God keeps. Enter into this study with anticipation and faith that the God who makes these promises is faithful and true... always true.

About Walk in the Word

Walk in the Word...Igniting passion in the people of God through the proclamation of truth.

About Dr. James MacDonald

James MacDonald (D. Min. Phoenix Seminary) is married to his high school sweetheart, Kathy, and both are from Ontario, Canada. He is the father of three grown children, two daughters-in-law, a son-in-law, and grandfather to five amazing grandsons. James has committed his life and ministry to the unapologetic proclamation of God’s Word. In 1988, along with a small group of ministry partners, James and Kathy planted Harvest Bible Chapel (HarvestBibleChapel.org) which now has more than 13,000 people meeting at seven locations across Chicagoland each weekend.

Walk in the Word, a Bible-teaching television and radio broadcast ministry (WalkintheWord.org), was established in 1997. The radio program reaches more than three million people daily, and the television audience extends around the world. In 2002, through James’ leadership and by God’s grace, the church-planting ministry Harvest Bible Fellowship (HarvestBibleFellowship.org) was founded and has established more than 100 churches across North America and around the world. James’ vision is for God to use Harvest Bible Fellowship to plant 1,000 churches by 2020.

James’ extensive ministry also includes a training center for pastors, a year-round camp, a center for biblical counseling, a disaster-recovery organization, and a Christian school—all used to reach more people with the life-changing message of the gospel.

James is the author of several books including Vertical Church, Authentic, Lord Change My Attitude, When Life is Hard, Always True, Come Home, and most recently, Act Like Men.

Find out more about James and his ministries at:

WalkintheWord.org HarvestBibleChapel.org HarvestBibleFellowship.org @pastorjamesmacdonald on Instagram @jamesmacdonald on Twitter James MacDonald - Walk in the Word on Facebook